Cherokee County's composite score of 68.9 sits 18.9 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects reliable affordability and tax efficiency that benefit most residents.
2 / 5
Solid performer among Texas counties
Cherokee's 68.9 score matches Texas's top performers, slightly exceeding the statewide average of 66.8. The county ranks among the better choices for livability within the state's competitive county landscape.
3 / 5
Affordability and tax burden shine
Cherokee County's cost score of 81.1 reflects excellent housing affordability: median home values of $160,300 and monthly rents at just $880. A tax score of 68.2 with an effective rate of 1.211% provides residents meaningful relief without sacrificing services.
4 / 5
Income growth opportunities are limited
The income score of 22.4 reveals Cherokee's main weakness: median household income of $59,830 is below what growth-oriented families might seek. Data gaps in schools, health care, and safety leave important livability questions unanswered for prospective residents.
5 / 5
Great fit for modest-income families
Cherokee County suits working families, retirees, and those with stable remote income seeking affordable housing and low taxes without chasing high wages. Its reliable affordability makes it an excellent choice for those prioritizing housing security over earning potential.
Cherokee County's composite score of 68.9 sits 18.9 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects reliable affordability and tax efficiency that benefit most residents.
Solid performer among Texas counties
Cherokee's 68.9 score matches Texas's top performers, slightly exceeding the statewide average of 66.8. The county ranks among the better choices for livability within the state's competitive county landscape.
Affordability and tax burden shine
Cherokee County's cost score of 81.1 reflects excellent housing affordability: median home values of $160,300 and monthly rents at just $880. A tax score of 68.2 with an effective rate of 1.211% provides residents meaningful relief without sacrificing services.
Income growth opportunities are limited
The income score of 22.4 reveals Cherokee's main weakness: median household income of $59,830 is below what growth-oriented families might seek. Data gaps in schools, health care, and safety leave important livability questions unanswered for prospective residents.
Great fit for modest-income families
Cherokee County suits working families, retirees, and those with stable remote income seeking affordable housing and low taxes without chasing high wages. Its reliable affordability makes it an excellent choice for those prioritizing housing security over earning potential.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛68.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Cherokee County's 1.211% effective rate produces a median tax of $1,941 on a $160,300 home—roughly 28% below the national median tax burden. This places Cherokee in the bottom third of U.S. counties for property tax load.
Slightly above Texas average
Cherokee's 1.211% rate edges slightly below Texas's 1.276% average, and its $1,941 median tax runs about $252 below the state median of $2,193. The county ranks in the middle of Texas's 254 counties for overall tax burden.
Middle-ground in east Texas
Cherokee sits between lower-tax Cass County (1.063%) and higher-tax Carson County (1.362%) among regional peers, offering a balanced tax environment. Its home values and rates both reflect a moderate-income east Texas market.
Cherokee County tax estimates
A home valued at Cherokee's median of $160,300 generates approximately $1,941 in annual property taxes at the 1.211% rate. With mortgage-related additions, annual tax obligations reach about $2,635.
Dispute inflated assessments
Cherokee County homeowners should verify their property values against recent arm's-length sales of comparable homes. Filing an appeal when assessments exceed market value can reduce your annual tax burden by hundreds of dollars.
Cherokee County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% runs 2.5 percentage points higher than the national average, reflecting modest upward pressure on housing costs despite relatively low rents of $880 monthly. The county falls into Texas's affordability mainstream, neither particularly strained nor relieved.
Slightly above Texas average affordability
At 17.6%, Cherokee County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below Texas's 18.1% state average, positioning it slightly above the state norm for housing affordability. This near-average performance places the county in a stable middle ground within the broader Texas housing landscape.
Comparison: Cherokee among East Texas counties
Cherokee County's $880 median rent runs $83 below the state average and compares favorably to rural peers, while a $59,830 median household income falls in the middle range of East Texas. The county's 17.6% housing burden reflects balanced market dynamics with no extreme affordability advantages.
Balanced housing costs in Cherokee
Renters in Cherokee County spend $880 monthly from a $59,830 household income, dedicating 17.6% to rent, while homeowners pay $753 toward a median home value of $160,300. Both figures indicate sustainable housing costs without extraordinary pressure on household budgets.
Cherokee offers East Texas stability
For those considering East Texas relocation, Cherokee County delivers straightforward affordability without the frills of pricier metros or the economic uncertainty of the most rural counties. Its near-average housing burden and moderate home values make it a steady choice for families seeking community over coastal premium.
Cherokee County's median household income of $59,830 falls $14,925 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it below average nationwide. The gap reflects economic patterns common in rural and smaller Texas counties.
Below Texas average but near peer counties
At $59,830, Cherokee County's median household income runs $4,907 below the Texas state average of $64,737. The county ranks among lower-income communities statewide, though not at the bottom tier.
Similar to other rural Texas counties
Cherokee County's $59,830 aligns closely with Childress County ($60,333) and Cass County ($54,328), reflecting shared regional economic challenges. All three counties significantly lag higher-income peers like Carson County and Chambers County.
Housing costs manageable but notable
At 17.6%, Cherokee County's rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability threshold cautiously, leaving moderate room in household budgets. The median home value of $160,300 is above average for lower-income counties, requiring careful financial planning.
Start small, build consistent wealth
With constrained household budgets, even $25 weekly automatic transfers into savings compound meaningfully over decades. Explore employer pension plans and low-cost IRAs to establish a foundation for long-term financial security.
Cherokee County residents live to 73.1 years—about 3 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4—and 24.5% report poor or fair health. These numbers indicate significant health challenges despite moderate life expectancy.
Below Texas averages on longevity
Cherokee County's 73.1-year life expectancy trails the Texas average of 74.3 by 1.2 years, though its 19.6% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average of 19.8%. The county sits just slightly behind state norms but shows room for improvement.
Mid-range performer with strong provider access
Cherokee County's 73.1-year life expectancy ranks middle-of-the-pack regionally, but its primary care provider density of 51 per 100K and mental health providers of 111 per 100K are exceptional—the strongest mental health workforce in the entire region. This rich provider base hasn't yet translated into better population health.
Excellent provider access available
Cherokee County boasts outstanding healthcare provider access: 51 primary care doctors per 100K and an exceptional 111 mental health providers per 100K represent among the best ratios in the state. Yet with 19.6% uninsured, nearly 1 in 5 residents cannot access these abundant services due to cost.
Don't miss out on abundant care
Cherokee County residents without insurance should sign up immediately through Healthcare.gov to access the county's rich network of primary and mental health providers. Coverage unlocks what the county has built—thousands of providers ready to help.
Cherokee County's composite risk score of 61.64 substantially exceeds the national average, reflecting a Relatively Low but notably elevated risk profile. The county experiences significant exposure across multiple hazard categories, including tornadoes, flooding, and tropical weather.
Above-average risk statewide
At 61.64, Cherokee County's composite risk score ranks well above Texas's average of 49.00, placing it in the higher-exposure tier. The county faces greater natural disaster vulnerability than most Texas regions.
Highest-risk in its comparison group
Cherokee County's 61.64 score exceeds neighboring Cass County (50.80) and Chambers County (51.84), making it the most exposed to natural disasters in this east Texas cluster. Its position in forested Piney Woods terrain amplifies both wildfire and tornado vulnerabilities.
Multiple hazards require diversified planning
Cherokee County faces a severe combination of tornado risk (69.53), hurricane risk (70.71), and wildfire risk (77.83), plus substantial flood exposure (59.19). This multi-hazard profile demands comprehensive preparedness addressing wind, water, and fire threats.
Layer protection across all major hazards
Residents should maintain full-coverage homeowners insurance with specific wind and flood endorsements, plus separate flood insurance given the 59.19 risk score. Building codes-compliant reinforcements and evacuation planning are essential given the county's high tornado and hurricane exposure.